The FINANCIAL — Nestlé Professional expands its presence in the food service industry by investing EUR 35 million to extend its premium frozen baked cakes and desserts factory in Erlenbacher, Germany.
Officially opened today, the extension is part of the factory site which produces the company's specialist brand Erlenbacher.
The new addition aims to increase the factory’s production capacity by 50%, enhance production line performance, and extend operational, logistics and storage space.
Furthermore, the extension includes new lines which will produce frozen single portions, a response to the demand for smaller individual-sized desserts such as mini tartlets, bites and cups.
Marc Caira, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Professional, attended the official event on May 20, 2011, at the Groß-Gerau-based factory, together with Thomas Will, District Councillor; and Stefan Sauer, Mayor of Groß-Gerau.
Gerhard Berssenbrügge, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Germany; Jean-Marie Gurné, Regional Business Head for Nestlé Professional B2B Europe; and Bernhard Neumeister, General Manager for Erlenbacher, also attended the opening.
Mr Caira explained why the investment is vital for the Erlenbacher business, and said: “It is a key player in our expansion plans for Nestlé Professional in the Out-of-Home frozen baked goods sector, complementing the leading chilled and frozen prepared meal business of Davigel.”
Currently employing 470 people at the factory site, Mr Caira stressed that people are vitally important to the business, and continued: “More importantly, at the heart of this business are people – our people building each and every day closer and closer relationships with our customers, responding in the right way and at the right time to their needs.
“We are very proud that Erlenbacher has built up such a strong portfolio of high quality products that delight consumers both here in Germany and elsewhere in Europe every day.”
Mr Neumeister outlined what this means for the Erlenbacher brand and business, and added: “This investment stands for security, development and reinforces Nestlé’s leadership in frozen baked goods, in the Out-of-Home market.”
As part of Nestlé’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, the new investment will also continue to address the factory’s energy and water consumption.
For example, its cleaning procedures have helped reduce its water withdrawals by 13.5%, from 2009 to 2010. Furthermore, a new cleaning system for its freezers has saved 2.2 million litres of water.
In addition, the new factory extension construction is certified to meet standards of quality management, environmental management and food safety.
Erlenbacher has been a partner of the food service industry for more than 35 years, offering a range of 450 products and selling around 20 million cakes a year to its customers. Bestsellers include the Apple Cake, Cheesecake, and Strawberry Buttermilk Cake varieties.
As an Out-of-Home leader in frozen baked goods in Germany, the business also exports 25% of its production volumes to 34 countries including Spain, Russia and Poland.
Erlenbacher’s key customers include bakeries, coffee shops, Quick Service Restaurants, and Travel as well as independent and institutional restaurant outlets.
Founded in 1973 in Nieder-Erlenbach near Frankfurt, Germany, the company was privately-owned before it moved to Groß-Gerau in 1977.
Erlenbacher was then taken over by Schöller Holding in 1998. In 2002, it was acquired by Nestlé S.A.
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